Drawing inspiration from their time abroad, Marc reimagined the couple’s HDB maisonette by tearing down walls and introducing hidden storage spaces.
Having soaked up the charm of European living, Marc’s clients returned to Singapore with a clear vision: to recreate the cosy, stylish interiors they had fallen in love with. Their passion for Scandinavian design and the warm, inviting feeling of Hygge led them to enlist Marc’s expertise for their new maisonette.
But don’t mistake this for just another Nordic- style home. Marc and the homeowners went beyond the typical wood accents, opting for seamless white walls that create a blank canvas, allowing the interior elements to truly shine.
What made this project unique, according to Marc, was the creative freedom to reconfigure the space entirely. He found it particularly rewarding to redesign the house’s flow based on the couple’s dynamic lifestyles.
“As work is stressful these days, the homeowners preferred something spacious for a more relaxing atmosphere,” said Marc.
“So I hacked all the walls on level one to create an open concept for the living room, dining room, and kitchen. From the main entrance, visitors can see the entirety of level one and take in the luxury of space.”
Breaking boundaries
This open space was achieved by combining the previously enclosed kitchen with an adjacent room, creating a spacious foyer and kitchen. Here, Marc chose a natural wood laminate to bring warmth into the entryway and contrast with the grey flooring.
The expanded kitchen includes a concealed pantry to keep the worktops clutter-free and a long kitchen island that lets the couple prepare food while interacting with guests in the dining area.
The dining set, strategically placed by the windows, is bathed in natural light during the day. Its seating capacity is extended with a settee that flows from the stairway, the main feature of the house.
“The homeowners love plants, so we incorporated a planter into the stairway and boxed up the handrail. To make it look like an art piece, we added decorative lighting and coated it in Pandomo finish.”
The result? A perfect blend of Nordic style and California-chic, creating both an aesthetic and functional space. Another settee extends into the living room, offering additional seating alongside a fabric sofa and armchair. To complement their monochromatic colour scheme, orange hues and gold accents are introduced through textiles and lighting.
“There are always different sources of lights to create different ambiences here, from ceiling lights to the standing and table lamps,” he added.
In a clever twist, the TV is closer to the sofa because the living room was “shrunk” to create a storeroom at the back—a much-needed storage area to keep the open-concept home clutter-free. The storeroom’s entrance is hidden in the balcony, which has been transformed into an outdoor cooking area with a pizza oven, another homage to the couple’s cherished time in Europe.
Creating contrast
The reimagining of spaces continues upstairs. The former master bedroom is now a lounge and guest room, while two other bedrooms were combined to form a master suite. This suite includes a sleeping area and study, allowing the homeowners to stay connected even with different bedtimes.
Compared to the voguish look of the first level, the master suite has a more intimate feel. Wooden tones dominate, from the furniture to the laminates and vinyl flooring; while the occasional pop of pastel softens the space and makes it more welcoming.
The same cheeriness extends to the master bathroom, which used to be the common bathroom but has been enlarged to include a vanity. While the other bathrooms feature austere blue, grey, and green subway tiles, the master bathroom adds a playful touch.
“The homeowner has always loved the look of terracotta, and we were lucky to find these subway tiles with a fluted finish. To make the bathroom look more interesting, we combined them and chose accessories in different colours so there would be some contrast within the same space.”
Blending Nordic simplicity with eclectic, personalised touches, the space feels both expansive and intimate; sophisticated yet homely. Most importantly, it doesn’t just reflect the homeowners’ tastes and lifestyles; it tells the story of the couple’s shared history.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the June 2024 issue of SquareRooms.
